The reality

The answer is, not many. Unless candidates put greater efforts to enhance their English skills and score over 7 in each band in the IELTS test, the chances look very slim in obtaining an independent skilled visa to Australia. The most affected segment of applicants will be in the trades profession, namely the technical personnel as Australia is in dire need of their skills. For decades, electricians, mechanics, A/C technicians, tool makers, fitters, machinists etc. have been in great demand, and to date the demand has not diminished.

Australia, the lucky country that is not quite affected by the recessions and other disasters has been experiencing a steady economic growth. The current strength of the Australian dollar reveals it has good times with the booming mining industry in Western Australia and Queensland. This unprecedented growth has kept the demand increasing for certain professions, and trades occupation seem to attract more attention, in terms of government nominations and employer sponsorships.

The truth is, personnel in these professions are often disadvantaged when it comes to English language and scoring 6 in each band itself is a challenge. Countries such as India and China sending the highest amount of skilled migrants to Australia, will struggle to meet the 7 in each band requirement for technical personnel. It will be interesting to see in reality how many trades professionals from English speaking countries will meet this requirement.

What about other occupations

Certainly the demand is there for many other professions. Recently released Skills Occupation List for the GSM programme consist of over 190 occupations, and the State/ Territory sponsored list will be much longer.  Any applicant being able to score 65 in one or the other way will meet the pass mark requirement. The Department of Immigration has already released the mechanism of qualifying, in other words, what attributes can be awarded points for. The biggest difference to the outgoing law would be that there are no more points awarded to a person’s occupation. Rather, people will be rewarded for the qualifications, which is an excellent change.

I have seen in many occasions the Department depicting the example of a Harvard PhD graduate not meeting the Australian migration requirement where an applicant with a two year cookery apprenticeship done in Australia will qualify for a PR visa.  On the other hand, a large number of IT professionals and senior managers, who did qualify without a formal qualification under the old system will struggle to meet the passmark.

Good news

At the time when the new points system was released stating only qualifications such as degrees, master degrees and PhDs can score points, there was a certain amount of panic as to what will happen to Diplomas, and Trade qualifications, also the AQF level testing completed outside Australia will have recognition. Now it is understood that as long as the assessment authority recognized the qualification of the applicants, the points can be allocated to certain qualifications. This will keep the level of qualifying candidates at a higher level than anticipated. Also, partner skills as previously could be assessed and points are awarded. States and territory governments will play a key role as the sponsorship from a respective State/ Territory government will lead to securing points.

I have seen State/ Territory nomination as an excellent pathway for migration to Australia, not because of the points but because of the service the State governments provide to newly arrived migrants. Certain State governments in Australia go to the length of assisting migrants from the orientation to securing employment. These services are commendable as people arriving without any relatives or friends will need assistance in settlement. I must mention the excellent role played by Australian regional governments as well.  It could be beneficial to a migrant going through a State/Territory nominated visa as the possibility of securing employment could be higher in the sponsored State and because of the services the states provide.

Permanent Skilled migration is essential

No doubt the new laws taking effect on July 1 will have an impact on the Australian General Skilled Migration Programme. It is understood that Australia desires to have higher quality migrants with substantial English skills and qualification. It must also be understood, when the GSM migrants decrease the skills shortage must be somehow filled, and the alternative would be employer sponsored visas.  Will this be a long term option to the skills shortage?

The workers under the 457 scheme will eventually qualify for PR, but initially arrive in Australia with less stringent requirements comparative to the new GSM programme.  Wouldn’t this create more disparity in future, when large amounts of employer sponsored migrants are absorbed into the society, where standards of English and skills cannot be matched to the rest of the society? Short term remedies could bring more issues in everyone’s experience, and not necessarily serve the objectives. While economic growth is important, it is paramount for Australia’s future to encourage and welcome people who are willing to make a move with their families to contribute to the Australian economy and make Australia home.